by Anne Scheck
Note: County Commissioner Lyle Mordhorst’s editorial, a report on regional transportation, follows news briefs on related city transport issues in Independence.
TRACKING TRANSPORTATION THAT IMPACTS INDEPENDENCE
Finalists Mulled for Feasibility Study of Independence-Monmouth Trolley. Two consulting firms are vying for a city contract to investigate how a trolley would operate between Monmouth and Independence, according to Shawn Irvine, the city’s economic development director. No decision has been made, but $300,000 was awarded to the City of Independence by the state, with the assistance of Rep. Paul Evans, so that the evaluation can move forward. Mr. Irvine confirmed that consideration for the contract award was underway at a meeting at Indy Commons a few weeks ago.
Central High School Students Weigh in on Local Parking and Streetscape Issues. At a special Independence City Council meeting held at Central High School (CHS) in early March, CHS students identified the need for improved sidewalks and crosswalks in the city, so walking and bicycling would be easier for youth. One called for a lighted crosswalk on Gun Club Road; Another noted the rainy, dark winter weather decreases visibility so flashing lights are becoming more necessary at crossings that have gotten busier with time, such as those at Hoffman and Stryker roads. Parking was also seen as a problem – it seems more limited now, according to CHS students. City Councilors took note of the issue, with Councilor Marilyn Morton later observing that these comments showed the high school students had a sense of community that extended all the way to the town’s traffic-serving infrastructure.
Cherriots Suspends Service in Wake of COVID-19. All local and regional service by Cherriots vans and buses has ceased except for medical trips “in the interest of public health and safety,” according to General Manager Allan Pollock, who announced the stoppage in a recent news release. The paratransit service, Cherriots LIFT, will provide “life-sustaining trips only, including appointments for medical care and dialysis treatment,” according to the announcement. The action was taken after seven staff members self-reported confirmation of coronavirus. During the suspension, all facilities will undergo deep cleaning and executives of the transit service will continue to meet to formulate a plan for restoring public transportation to Marion and Polk counties, the news release stated.
Independence Transportation System Plan Kicks Off. A long-range plan will soon be underway to meet the future needs for car, bike and pedestrian travel for the City of Independence, according to City Planner Fred Evander, who announced the plan at a city council meeting earlier this year. Community input will be sought, and the project will include some of the elements of the previous plan, which was published in 2007. There will be “numerous opportunities” for residents to register their opinion during the process, Mr. Evander said.
COMING UP Monday night, 7pm, April 6, Planning Commission Meeting, which can be accessed remotely (see city website). On the agenda are new standards for downtown business signs, including at storefronts, which will be introduced in draft form by City Planner Fred Evander. Proposed changes to the design-review process for signs include evaluation of legibility, lighting, historic significance and architectural compatibility.
EDITORIAL
Lyle Mordhorst was appointed to the Polk County Board of Commissioners in early 2019. He is seeking election to the board in May. He’s Involved in the county’s effort to address county traffic-safety issues with the Oregon Department of Transportation. He wrote the following editorial about several spots affecting travel here, including the Highways 22 & 51 interchange and the roundabout slated for Clow Corner Road.
By Lyle Mordhorst
As our communities and county continue to grow, so too, does the demand of increased traffic on our transportation system. I am grateful for the men and women that came before me, who developed the transportation system that we rely on today. Their foresight and sheer determination to get things done paved the way for the economic growth of our region. Take the creation of the Hwy 22 corridor, which single-handedly provided Polk County merchants the ability to export products thanks to the accessibility it provides to the I-5 corridor.
Following in the footsteps of these predecessors, I am determined to make every effort to improve the safety and efficiency of the local transportation system. This includes working closely with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) on projects on State Highways, which are not in Polk County’s jurisdiction, but encompass some of Polk County’s busiest, most dangerous intersections and thoroughfares.
Clow Corner Road at the intersection with Hwy 99W is at the top of this list. Here, ODOT already has plans in place to install an Offset Roundabout beginning in 2021. We may not all agree on the design, but we can agree that between a choice of a roundabout, or doing nothing, in order to prevent any more lives being lost at this intersection, we support building a roundabout. Statistically speaking, roundabouts effectively alleviate serious head-on or rear-end accidents compared to a conventional lighted intersection.
I was, like most of you, skeptical of a roundabout design at first.
In Oregon they are a relatively new concept, and with anything new, most of us react to change with hesitation or resistance. “Will our farm equipment fit through it?” “How will it handle oversized freight loads?” “Is it equipped to handle college football game day traffic?” These are all valid questions that I can assure you have been asked and addressed in the roundabout design.
Next is the Hwy 22 corridor & Hwy 51 interchange. This stretch of highway has seen the highest growth in Polk County in usage, with over 36,000 vehicles passing through daily and growing at a rate of 3 percent per year (per ODOT). Last year we took the first step in creating a safer commute along this corridor by eliminating the left turn off of Doaks Ferry onto Hwy 22.
The Hwy 51 intersection itself is entering the first phase of improvement, the design phase. All aspects of traffic control improvements will be considered, from overpasses to frontage roads, in order to find the safest and most efficient design possible. ODOT and Polk County are partnering on this project so we will be updating you as it progresses.
Further west is the Hwy 22 and Perrydale Rd. intersection, which experienced one of the largest increases of severe accidents in the state in 2019. We participated in a community meeting in December with local concerned citizens and parents to discuss options to reduce accidents at this location. From that meeting a task force was created that includes members from Polk County Fire District, Perrydale School, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Public Works, The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, community members, ODOT, and myself, as your Polk County Commissioner.
So far the group has had productive discussions about establishing a Safety Corridor through this area until intersection safety improvements can be completed. We are currently working through the process of meeting the requirements to qualify for the safety corridor which should be in place by the end of summer. There will also be Traffic-Activated Warning System lights placed at the Perrydale Rd. intersection this spring, similar to the lighted signs that were installed on Hwy 99 prior to Clow Corner Rd. to alert drivers that a car may be entering the highway at the intersection ahead.
We are also exploring the possibility of realigning Perrydale Rd. to Smithfield Rd., which would eliminate the northern connection of the Perrydale Rd. interchange. The intersection of Hwy 22 and Kings Valley Hwy/Smithfield Rd. is located less than one mile from the Perrydale Rd. and Hwy 22 intersection, and is scheduled for improvements starting in 2021. Polk County estimates that by incorporating the Perrydale Rd. realignment into the Smithfield Rd. intersection improvement project, it would accelerate safety improvements at the Perrydale Rd. intersection, while saving over $6 million by eliminating the need for future improvements to the Perrydale Rd. intersection. The south half of the Perrydale intersection would also be upgraded by squaring the roadway entrance onto Highway 22 for better visibility and access.
Last but not least is the intersection of Hwy 99W and Bethel Rd., or as the locals refer to, the McCoylight. The first phase of this intersection improvement will be completed this fall with a new box culvert, which is being installed in preparation for a future project that will include improving visibility and adding turn lanes.
Polk County was recently recognized by the Oregon Association of County Engineers and Surveyors for having the highest rated roads in the state of Oregon. Our Public Works Department staff are dedicated to maintaining that status and ensuring that the 500 miles of roads, 122 bridges, and over 200 pieces of equipment and vehicles within our care are designed, built, maintained and repaired to support the high-quality transportation system Polk County residents and businesses expect and deserve.
As the population in Polk County continues to grow, we will continue to prioritize projects that have the largest preservation benefit, while providing improved safety and needed infrastructure that will be effective for years to come. Honored to serve. Lyle Mordhorst. -end-
Note: County Commissioner Lyle Mordhorst’s editorial, a report on regional transportation, follows news briefs on related city transport issues in Independence.
TRACKING TRANSPORTATION THAT IMPACTS INDEPENDENCE
Finalists Mulled for Feasibility Study of Independence-Monmouth Trolley. Two consulting firms are vying for a city contract to investigate how a trolley would operate between Monmouth and Independence, according to Shawn Irvine, the city’s economic development director. No decision has been made, but $300,000 was awarded to the City of Independence by the state, with the assistance of Rep. Paul Evans, so that the evaluation can move forward. Mr. Irvine confirmed that consideration for the contract award was underway at a meeting at Indy Commons a few weeks ago.
Central High School Students Weigh in on Local Parking and Streetscape Issues. At a special Independence City Council meeting held at Central High School (CHS) in early March, CHS students identified the need for improved sidewalks and crosswalks in the city, so walking and bicycling would be easier for youth. One called for a lighted crosswalk on Gun Club Road; Another noted the rainy, dark winter weather decreases visibility so flashing lights are becoming more necessary at crossings that have gotten busier with time, such as those at Hoffman and Stryker roads. Parking was also seen as a problem – it seems more limited now, according to CHS students. City Councilors took note of the issue, with Councilor Marilyn Morton later observing that these comments showed the high school students had a sense of community that extended all the way to the town’s traffic-serving infrastructure.
Cherriots Suspends Service in Wake of COVID-19. All local and regional service by Cherriots vans and buses has ceased except for medical trips “in the interest of public health and safety,” according to General Manager Allan Pollock, who announced the stoppage in a recent news release. The paratransit service, Cherriots LIFT, will provide “life-sustaining trips only, including appointments for medical care and dialysis treatment,” according to the announcement. The action was taken after seven staff members self-reported confirmation of coronavirus. During the suspension, all facilities will undergo deep cleaning and executives of the transit service will continue to meet to formulate a plan for restoring public transportation to Marion and Polk counties, the news release stated.
Independence Transportation System Plan Kicks Off. A long-range plan will soon be underway to meet the future needs for car, bike and pedestrian travel for the City of Independence, according to City Planner Fred Evander, who announced the plan at a city council meeting earlier this year. Community input will be sought, and the project will include some of the elements of the previous plan, which was published in 2007. There will be “numerous opportunities” for residents to register their opinion during the process, Mr. Evander said.
COMING UP Monday night, 7pm, April 6, Planning Commission Meeting, which can be accessed remotely (see city website). On the agenda are new standards for downtown business signs, including at storefronts, which will be introduced in draft form by City Planner Fred Evander. Proposed changes to the design-review process for signs include evaluation of legibility, lighting, historic significance and architectural compatibility.
EDITORIAL
Lyle Mordhorst was appointed to the Polk County Board of Commissioners in early 2019. He is seeking election to the board in May. He’s Involved in the county’s effort to address county traffic-safety issues with the Oregon Department of Transportation. He wrote the following editorial about several spots affecting travel here, including the Highways 22 & 51 interchange and the roundabout slated for Clow Corner Road.
By Lyle Mordhorst
As our communities and county continue to grow, so too, does the demand of increased traffic on our transportation system. I am grateful for the men and women that came before me, who developed the transportation system that we rely on today. Their foresight and sheer determination to get things done paved the way for the economic growth of our region. Take the creation of the Hwy 22 corridor, which single-handedly provided Polk County merchants the ability to export products thanks to the accessibility it provides to the I-5 corridor.
Following in the footsteps of these predecessors, I am determined to make every effort to improve the safety and efficiency of the local transportation system. This includes working closely with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) on projects on State Highways, which are not in Polk County’s jurisdiction, but encompass some of Polk County’s busiest, most dangerous intersections and thoroughfares.
Clow Corner Road at the intersection with Hwy 99W is at the top of this list. Here, ODOT already has plans in place to install an Offset Roundabout beginning in 2021. We may not all agree on the design, but we can agree that between a choice of a roundabout, or doing nothing, in order to prevent any more lives being lost at this intersection, we support building a roundabout. Statistically speaking, roundabouts effectively alleviate serious head-on or rear-end accidents compared to a conventional lighted intersection.
I was, like most of you, skeptical of a roundabout design at first.
In Oregon they are a relatively new concept, and with anything new, most of us react to change with hesitation or resistance. “Will our farm equipment fit through it?” “How will it handle oversized freight loads?” “Is it equipped to handle college football game day traffic?” These are all valid questions that I can assure you have been asked and addressed in the roundabout design.
Next is the Hwy 22 corridor & Hwy 51 interchange. This stretch of highway has seen the highest growth in Polk County in usage, with over 36,000 vehicles passing through daily and growing at a rate of 3 percent per year (per ODOT). Last year we took the first step in creating a safer commute along this corridor by eliminating the left turn off of Doaks Ferry onto Hwy 22.
The Hwy 51 intersection itself is entering the first phase of improvement, the design phase. All aspects of traffic control improvements will be considered, from overpasses to frontage roads, in order to find the safest and most efficient design possible. ODOT and Polk County are partnering on this project so we will be updating you as it progresses.
Further west is the Hwy 22 and Perrydale Rd. intersection, which experienced one of the largest increases of severe accidents in the state in 2019. We participated in a community meeting in December with local concerned citizens and parents to discuss options to reduce accidents at this location. From that meeting a task force was created that includes members from Polk County Fire District, Perrydale School, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Public Works, The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, community members, ODOT, and myself, as your Polk County Commissioner.
So far the group has had productive discussions about establishing a Safety Corridor through this area until intersection safety improvements can be completed. We are currently working through the process of meeting the requirements to qualify for the safety corridor which should be in place by the end of summer. There will also be Traffic-Activated Warning System lights placed at the Perrydale Rd. intersection this spring, similar to the lighted signs that were installed on Hwy 99 prior to Clow Corner Rd. to alert drivers that a car may be entering the highway at the intersection ahead.
We are also exploring the possibility of realigning Perrydale Rd. to Smithfield Rd., which would eliminate the northern connection of the Perrydale Rd. interchange. The intersection of Hwy 22 and Kings Valley Hwy/Smithfield Rd. is located less than one mile from the Perrydale Rd. and Hwy 22 intersection, and is scheduled for improvements starting in 2021. Polk County estimates that by incorporating the Perrydale Rd. realignment into the Smithfield Rd. intersection improvement project, it would accelerate safety improvements at the Perrydale Rd. intersection, while saving over $6 million by eliminating the need for future improvements to the Perrydale Rd. intersection. The south half of the Perrydale intersection would also be upgraded by squaring the roadway entrance onto Highway 22 for better visibility and access.
Last but not least is the intersection of Hwy 99W and Bethel Rd., or as the locals refer to, the McCoylight. The first phase of this intersection improvement will be completed this fall with a new box culvert, which is being installed in preparation for a future project that will include improving visibility and adding turn lanes.
Polk County was recently recognized by the Oregon Association of County Engineers and Surveyors for having the highest rated roads in the state of Oregon. Our Public Works Department staff are dedicated to maintaining that status and ensuring that the 500 miles of roads, 122 bridges, and over 200 pieces of equipment and vehicles within our care are designed, built, maintained and repaired to support the high-quality transportation system Polk County residents and businesses expect and deserve.
As the population in Polk County continues to grow, we will continue to prioritize projects that have the largest preservation benefit, while providing improved safety and needed infrastructure that will be effective for years to come. Honored to serve. Lyle Mordhorst. -end-
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